The Salt Lake Stadium segment of Messi’s “GOAT Tour” in Kolkata descended into chaos when thousands of fans, many of whom paid significant ticket prices, were unable to see even a brief appearance by the football icon. This frustration quickly escalated into violent protests: chairs and bottles were thrown, barricades were breached, and fans invaded the pitch. Police had to intervene, and the organisers were detained amid public and political fallout.
I have been researching recurring incidents of poor crowd management at sports, movie, and political rallies over the last few months in India – Chinnaswamy, Karur, New Delhi Railway Station, and now Messi in Kolkata. While much will be written about political angles and fan expectation management, I want to share my thoughts on managing sports events in the context of India hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
Having lived in Dubai for five years and witnessed how the city manages large-scale events, I believe there is a need to recognise the fact that, as in most ventures, successful event management requires scientific processes, micro-level planning, and the effective use of technology.
The core issues that emerged were:
- Poor Crowd Visibility & Experience
Organisers failed to ensure that the paying audience could actually see Messi. Even giant screens reportedly did not provide a clear view for many. This lack of basic audience sightline planning represents a fundamental flaw in crowd experience design.
- Security & Crowd Control Lapses
Fans were able to breach barricades and vandalise stadium property, highlighting inadequate pre-planned crowd control measures and response protocols.
- Expectation Misalignment
Event marketing suggested substantial on-field interaction, which did not materialise. This gap between promise and reality created disappointment and anger, with fans feeling short-changed given the high ticket prices.
- Coordination Failures Between Hosts & Authorities
The lack of seamless coordination between organisers, security forces, and venue authorities became evident as the situation escalated into disorder.
In contrast, cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have rapidly matured into global hubs for large-scale events – from sports to entertainment – with practices worth observing.
- Structured Licensing & Regulatory Frameworks
Events in Dubai are subject to clear licensing requirements, including documented plans for crowd control, security, ticketing systems, and safety protocols before approval.
- Professional Crowd & Access Management
UAE events deploy trained security personnel and crowd management strategies that emphasise entry screening, real-time monitoring, and controlled movement throughout venues. CCTV, RFID systems, and well-placed barriers reduce bottlenecks and uncontrolled gatherings.
- Technology-Driven Operations
Advanced visitor management systems (VMS) are used for registration, digital ticketing, entry tracking, and access control. These systems enhance safety and improve attendee experience by reducing queues and enabling real-time incident monitoring.
- Integrated Security & Emergency Planning
UAE events typically involve coordinated planning with local authorities – from police to medical services – with clearly defined emergency protocols and rapid response teams in place.
- Professional Event Services Market
The presence of specialised event management and security firms offering crowd management, conflict mitigation, and visitor services ensures that major festivals, concerts, and sporting events rely on tested operational frameworks rather than ad-hoc improvisation.
The chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium Messi event was not just a local misfire – it exposed deeper gaps in crowd experience planning, safety operations, and stakeholder coordination. It is high time we engage professionals to manage large-scale events and adhere to best practices refined across the world. Without this shift, we will continue to witness such failures, and in light of the nation’s sporting ambitions, we risk projecting a poor image to the global community.
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